We live and worship in the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta. In other words, we are Treaty people. What does it mean to be a Treaty person? Why is advancing reconciliation and renewing the relationship with Indigenous Peoples important? Our Hope community is embarking on a Reconciliation Journey Project to investigate these questions.
The journey will begin on Sunday, September 24th with a discussion after the worship service in the format of a Talking Circle to learn more about the journey we hope to embark on. Darren Rea will facilitate as we explore what reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples means for Hope members individually and as a faith community seeking to bring grace and peace to the world. All are invited to join us for this first step on our journey, and there is no obligation to speak.
We hope you will join us in one or all of the upcoming activities or check out the resources that will be posted in the Anchor, like the one below. Let us, together, work towards a better understanding of Indigenous culture and history, and learn how to renew our commitment as Treaty people.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Anne Harding, Gretchen Albers, Heather Scholz or Cindy Robinson.
From the book Namwayut: A Pathway to Reconciliation by Chief Robert Joseph https://www.namwayut.com/
“Reconciliation can be a spiritual covenant. Reconciliation has to have an element of spiritual cooperation and commitment so that it’s binding, and so that it invokes the best in all of us. We all belong here. And so let this be our covenant.
Let us call in our highest selves, our human consciousness, in wanting something bigger, better for all of us.
Let us remember that in spite of what we have done to ourselves, we belong, and we are loved.
Let us always know that love is the foundation of everything: for the universe, for the world around us, for family, for self.
Let us call in our spirit of witness, and hear each other’s stories of pain, of joy, and of hope.
Let us take on a responsibility to each other, and let your every action be in the highest interest of the collective.
Let us create the magic of the universe for our children, and welcome each child into the fold with constant and abiding love.
Let us align people together, even if it’s for a second or a moment, or an hour, or a day, and connect our energies, our hearts and minds, our souls.
Let us – every faith, every colour, every creed-recognize our common humanity.
Let us accept the truth that we are all one.”